Farmers Stage Symbolic Protest Over Paddy Procurement Issues in Sambalpur

Problems related to paddy sales continue to grip farmers in Sambalpur, with no immediate relief in sight. Protesting the token-related issues and alleged mismanagement in the paddy procurement process, the Sambalpur farmers’ organisation has called for a Sambalpur bandh on December 19.

Farmers hit the streets with placards and adopted a unique method to press their demands. Highlighting their grievances, they hit several locations across the city and placed sacks of paddy and sold them at retail prices as a symbolic form of protest.

Expressing their disappointment, one farmer said, ‘We don’t have money. Paddy is our only source of livelihood, yet the government has not provided us with tokens. That’s why we are selling paddy on the streets.” As part of the protest, farmers sold their produce at extremely low prices.

“Despite our repeated protests, the government remains unwilling to wake up from its slumber. We believe the government has failed to protect farmers or ensure fair value for their produce. Who asked them to announce a bonus of Rs 800? Today, farmers have been forced to take to the streets,” alleged farmer leader, Ashok Pradhan.

With sacks of paddy lying on city roads and farmers selling their produce at throwaway prices, the protest has exposed the depth of distress gripping Sambalpur’s farming community.